Beer, take me away

A new brew for you: SLO Brew recently released its new Fresh Hop IPA, using locally sourced Cascade hops from Arroyo Grande, so hop down to the eatery and venue for a cold, frothy first taste … Speaking of IPAs, you’ve got to try Bang the Drum Brewery’s King Mate English style IPA, perfectly balanced with hints of Yerba Mate flavor (their cool, bongo-bangin’ hangout is open for biz at 950 Orcutt Rd., SLO) … Join Firestone Walker Brewing Co. for a special, after-hours pre-release of the brewery’s second bottled offering of their popular Velvet Merkin Vintage: 002 on Sept. 12 (tickets include two bottles of the brew, a snifter glass, a dozen-beer sampler, brewery tour, and Q&A with a real-life, hot-blooded brewer). That’s my kind of beer education.